Desk Report,
Another eviction at the shipbreaking factory built by cutting down forests in Sitakunda
The second phase of the eviction campaign has begun on Wednesday morning at the controversial shipbreaking factory built by cutting down forests in Sitakunda, Chittagong. The factory was demolished in the first phase on June 25. The district administration is currently carrying out eviction activities on some other structures and the remains of the building in the factory area.
Another eviction at the shipbreaking factory built by cutting down forests in Sitakunda
Along with the eviction, the Forest Department will officially start tree plantation at the Tulatali Mouza area of Salimpura area of Sitakund on Wednesday. For this, 2,000 trees of different species have been taken to the place. In the first phase, 2,000 saplings of different trees will be planted there. Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Fakhrul Islam will inaugurate the tree plantation program.
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Fakhrul Islam told Prothom Alo around 10 am, “We will start tree plantation in a while. The Forest Department has brought saplings for this.” Apart from this, the eviction process is being carried out in the remaining part of the factory.’
Sitakunda Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abdullah Al Mamun is also present in the eviction drive. Apart from this, Coastal Forest Department Assistant Conservator of Forests Abul Kalam Azad, Range Officer Md. Rasheduzzaman are present. Range Officer Rasheduzzaman said, ‘We have brought two thousand saplings of three species – Jhau, Karanja and Hijal. They will be planted here. Earlier, people from the shipbreaking factory destroyed about five thousand trees here.’
The district administration had twice granted permission to lease the forest land for setting up a shipbreaking factory. After objections, the lease was cancelled again. A person named Abul Kashem established this factory under the name Kohinoor Steel. He is known as ‘Raja Kashem’.
